Motorists on the southern Gold Coast will need to rethink their parking strategies, with Council rolling out new traffic rules ahead of the highly anticipated opening of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 later this month.
To prevent beachside residential streets from turning into all-day parking areas, a strict new traffic area is being introduced between Mermaid Beach and Burleigh Heads.
Starting September 14, a three-hour on-street parking limit will be enforced on weekdays from 9am am to 5pm in a bid to keep local roads accessible and flowing.
The three-hour parking limit will not apply on weekends or public holidays.
Acting Mayor Mark Hammel highlighted the importance of the changes, noting that increasing parking turnover is crucial to reducing congestion and keeping the popular coastal hubs accessible for residents, local businesses, and their customers.
“This new Traffic Area will protect the amenity of residents who live within 400 metres of GCLR3,” Hammel said.
“This is crucial to reduce traffic congestion and it will improve access to car parking by increasing parking turnover in these popular beachside locations.
“We are expecting an increase in activity around this area and we want to ensure the local residents, businesses, their customers and visitors have available parking.
“Commuters are encouraged to use alternative forms of travel to the area when using light rail.”
To ensure locals aren’t unfairly penalised by the influx of public transport users, council is offering a lifeline for residents.
Eligible households can apply for a Resident Parking Permit online, which will entirely exempt their cars from the new three-hour time limit.
